With an unfortunate gaffe while on radio on Wednesday morning, Eddie McGuire ensured the Adam Goodes racism story would remain in the news for another couple of days.
The well-publicised, heavily commented on saga was sparked last Friday night during the Swans-Collingwood match – which happened to be the first game of the AFL’s Indigenous Round – and has since led to a national debate regarding race and racism in this country.
That conversation is necessary, but it’s not the topic of this article.
Rugby league has its own ways of recognising Indigenous players and culture, including the popular All-Stars match and the Close the Gap Round which, in part, addresses health inequality in Australia.
With State of Origin under a week away, and the sporting and cultural world currently grappling with the topic of race, here’s a celebration of the stand-out Indigenous players in the NRL.
An Origin team of sorts, this side has been picked on form, rather than pure popularity like the Indigenous All-Stars team.
Fullback – Greg Inglis
He’s arguably in the best form of his career at fullback and there’s talk he might drop back to the position at times for Queensland.
Ben Barba would have been a lock this time last year – and he is returning to form – but Inglis has clearly been better so far. Reece Robinson is also in form, but it’s hard to overlook the Queensland pair.
Wings – Nathan Merritt and Jack Wighton
After being in form for a decade, Merritt again missed out on an Origin selection, but he walks into this team.
20 year old Raiders back Wighton is a star in the making. Big, strong and fast, Laurie Daly selected him for the 2013 Indigenous All-Stars team.
Centres – Justin Hodges and Blake Ferguson
Hodges is a no-brainer – the Broncos aren’t the same without him.
Blake Ferguson is in the form of his career at centre for the Raiders and has earned a Blues call-up.
Five-eighth – Johnathan Thurston
Surely this one needs no explanation.
Halfback – Albert Kelly
The diminutive halfback has found a home at the Titans and has been playing the house down as the Gold Coast climbed to sixth on the ladder with a thrashing of Parramatta last weekend.
Props – Andrew Fifita and George Rose
Fifita’s man-of-the-match performance for the Sharks against the Rabbitohs was outstanding and his State of Origin call-up is thoroughly deserved after a great start to the season.
Form or no form, you can’t leave big Georgie Rose out of the side.
Hooker – Nathan Peats
Mainly playing second row or off the bench behind Issac Luke at the Rabbitohs, Peats was called into the City Origin side this year when Robbie Farah pulled out.
Second row – Sam Thaiday and Jamal Idris
Thaiday is able to play prop too and walks into most sides.
Idris went off the boil when he left the Bulldogs but has shown over the last couple of games for the Titans why he was an Origin bolter in 2010. He’s returned to form in the centres so far, but I still rate him as a quality second-rower.
Joel Thompson returned from injury last weekend and probably would have made the team if he’d played a bit more – he’s not of the same stature as Hodges, who I selected despite minimal game-time recently.
Lock – Greg Bird
Didn’t know he was Indigenous until the first All-Stars match a couple of years ago. Only difficulty – if you can call it that – is deciding what position the versatile Bird should play.
There’s a fair smattering of Origin players here, a few internationals as well, and I reckon this team would go pretty well.
Gali
Guest
If it was ever Indigenous Allstars vs Nz/Pacific Isle All Stars. My team would be. Front Row and Second Row Pack FuiFui MoeMoe,Roy Aso tasi, Jason Taumalolo, Anthony Tupou Hooker: Issac Luke 6/7 Benji Marshall & Kieran Foran Centre: Steve Matai & Sonny Bill Williams Wingers: Josh Hoffman & matt duffie Fullback: Glen Fisi'ahi Reserves. B.Mautilino, K Hurrel, David Hala, Tui Vasa Sheck, Jeremy Smith, Shaun Kenny Dowell, Shaun Johnson, Alex Glenn,Daniel Vidot
Hoges
Guest
The one guy you left out of there is Josh Hoffman. Can play anywhere in the backs & has 10 tries already this season.
The eye
Guest
Agree,much prefer having us play together than playing in a gang determined by your colour.Well said you two !
up in the north
Guest
I have to agree with mstar here. I kind of cringe a bit at a side based on ethnicity. I'll stick my neck out here and say that the Allstars concept puts me off too. I always thought sport was the 'one' place where being part of a team was bigger than individuals. I accept the good motives for an Allstars product. If Preston is happy to be involved then it must be good. I would like to see an Islander Origin side somehow involved with NSW / QLD. That'd be better than VIC or WA being involved. The NRL is largely made up of islander boys, I'm sure there would be a line a mile long if it was made to happen. As for our murries, more should have been selected to play rep' over the years. But everyone born here is an Aussie. We should be proud to just be included in a society that loves success on the sporting field. No matter you're black, white or brindle. But I'd really like to watch an Islander Origin side play.
MStar
Guest
I have never really got behind the whole the concept as find the whole concept of picking a team based of race as being rather let me find the the word yes I know Racist . I feel all sport should be background neutral Just imagine the uproar that their would if the NRL/A-League/ARU decided they would pick a team and made it a requirement that you could only be picked for the team if you were not Aboriginal(eg White European) . This happened in America up until the 50's and in South Africa until the end of apartied and is still happening in some European countries and Israel . Most countries have stopped this but not Australia who strangely still enjoy the novelty of the concept. As Martin Luther King said " I have a dream that my children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character (or how well their given sport) . I have a dream today." I think it is better to celebrate the way Australian Sport allow people from all backgrounds can come together and enjoy sport instead of emphasizing any differences between people . Cheering on teams that has been chosen based on race also means cheering against a team and player based on race which can lead to troubles like have been seen in other sports. I really don't care about the players background as long as they play the game well and are a good person that is all that matter. So all players should be treated the same. Sport can be used something to unify us look at soccer ,people all around the world people play it rich ,poor it does not matter where you come from look you don't even need to speak the same language. So in my opinion sooner all sport get rid of the whole racist concept the better.
Jimbo
Guest
The AFL is very happy with the way grass roots football has taken in QLD, there has always been a decent history with the game in QLD, and it appears it has a couple of reasonbly strong areas, but also has a decent presence across the state. Not going to overtake league, even if one day more kids play it, same way soccer has not overtaken league.
clipper
Guest
Demetriou never said that, he was speaking on a report which says there is 155k AFL participants in QLD compared to 170k league participants and said he was "really excited about what is happening in Queensland for our code” - if that implies he thinks that AFL is as big as league in QLD, that's up to you.
Brendan Bradford
Roar Pro
A Maori/Pacific Islands team is next on my list!
Zaccaaa
Guest
1. Barba 2. Fergo/Reece Robinson 3. Hodges 4. Inglis 5. Merritt 6. Prince 7. Thurston 8. Fifita 9. Peats 10. Rose 11. Joel Thompson 12. Thiaday 13. Bird 14. Albert Kelly 15. Idris 16. Tom Leroyd-Lars 17. Ryan James
matt h
Guest
What a side. The All Star game is a great exhibition, but for sheer footballing brilliance, I would have preferred the Indigenous All Stars vs a combined NZ Maori/Islanders team. That would be one hell of a fun game.
oikee
Guest
Awesome team. That team could win a world cup. I love the "Close the Gap" round. And i love the tital. We are not shouting it from the rooftops. I see demetriou is at it again, sprouting the AFL is as big as rugby league in Queensland. This code cant help itself. They have a few auskick programs and then claim 100 thousand juniors. Next they are beating rugby leagues hardcore rusted juniors that play schoolboys and junior Kangaroos. Only a few weeks ago they released a press for a call to arms for the failing 2 afl clubs. Stop shouting, afl, your giving everyone a headacke. hehe.
BIG SHOW
Guest
Very strong team.
peeeko
Roar Guru
didnt you just name the all star team?